Early Access Game

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.

Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you
should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“Maelstrom is focused, well-built, and in an early beta state. We now crave feedback and perspective from players on all aspects of the game especially balance, gameplay, and pacing so we can tighten and polish it. We'll be communicating a lot with our community, especially at this stage of development where game elements are still malleable.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Maelstrom will officially launch when it is well-balanced and the systems and content are highly polished. We are aiming for a late 2018 release, but no specific date yet.
It will be patched frequently, and players will see constant improvements as additional content is added consistently over the course of Early Access. You can see our plans in more detail on our roadmap.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“Players can expect a host of new in-game systems and content to come online while the game is in Early Access:

Visual upgrades to all playable ships

Duo team play

Leaderboards

Daily bounties and quests

Additional maps (and monsters!)

Professional voice acting for all captains, mates, and narration.

Additional languages supported{*] …and there may be more as we unlock stretch goals based on player numbers! Check out our Steam hub for more information.

”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“We are still in an early beta state, iterating on balance, gameplay, and progression. The game is fully playable with three initial races (Orcs, Humans, Dwarves), multiple ships for each race with loads of upgrades, mates and captains. Multiplayer with end match rewards and progression is all fully functional. We will patch frequently and players can expect the game to continue evolving and updating throughout Early Access!”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“The price will reflect the development progress of the game, and so may increase as new features and content are added. Check out our roadmap to see those plans.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“Our main outlets of communication will be via Steam hub, Discord and Twitter. We'll be communicating a lot with our community, especially at this stage of development where game elements are still malleable.”

Reviews

“Maelstrom is a unique and original twist on the classic Battle Royale formula with naval combat, out-of-match progression, and sea monsters!”IGN - James Duggan

“Maelstrom’s a nautical battle royale, pitting fantastical ships against each other in damp arenas. The ships are fast, the cannons are powerful and there’s no risk of being sniped by some invisible bastard. It’s lovely”Rock Paper Shotgun - Fraser Brown

“It's a fun and fast-paced game as you swivel around to unleash broadside attacks, try to stay out of the line of fire as your cannons are reloaded, grab currents to speed yourself up and dart between the islands, and race to collect the floating goodies dropped when another ship is taken out.”PC Gamer - Christopher Livingston

About This Game

Grim fantasy combined with thunderous naval combat in a vibrant, monster-saturated world! Captain an Orc, Dwarf or Human warship and sail the turbulent Abyssal Ocean to play online multiplayer, in free-for-all or fleet based matches.

The goal is to: Plunder as much gold as possible while outwitting and outgunning all others and be the last ship sailing.

Be ruthless! Sink other players ships, take their loot and collect their bounty!

Be greedy! Maps are littered with floating treasure chests and ships loaded with gold.

Be cunning! As the match progresses hungry sea monsters become more aggressive and encroach the safe waters ships can sail in. Ships sailing in 'Dead Waters' for too long end up as monster chow!

Be unsinkable! At the end of a match ships can be upgraded and customized with captains, cannons, armor, mates and more!

BOMBASTIC BROADSIDES!

Cannons are the heart of combat in Maelstrom. Cannonballs are physics controlled, with a significant firing arc and hang time, meaning prediction and good aim are necessary to deal damage effectively. On the receiving end, players with good reactions and anticipation coupled with a nimble ship can dodge incoming fire.

WARSHIPS WIN WITH WITS

Enemy ships can be rammed, grappled and boarded! A clever captain at sea will become a wealthy captain on land.

Skillfully maneuver yourself through the swelling sea and prepare your ship for ramming. The faster the ship is moving the more devastating the collision will be on impact!

Looking for a friendlier approach? Hold both ships in place while crews fight it out. Grapples will be cut eventually, so boarding actions only last a short time. If one crew manages to kill all of the opposing crew, they will set fire to the enemy ship, sending it to the depths!

ARMOR, AMMO AND POSITIONAL DAMAGE

Each ship has armor on all four sides. The armor sections serve as additional defense toward damage to that side and must be destroyed before the ship's hull can be damaged. Maneuvering to keep your armor between you and your enemy is vital to staying afloat - and seeking the enemy's damaged sides will make you much more lethal in combat!Every cannon has access to three kinds of ammunition and can swap during combat to suit the situation. Ammo is unlimited.

Iron shot blasts chunks out of ship armor and hull.

Chain shot is used to shred enemy sails and cripple a ship’s speed.

Grapeshot slaughters enemy crew and makes ships easier to board.

LURKING THE DEEP

Like the ocean they reside in, sea monsters are titanic forces of nature. They stalk unwary captains and can devour a ship whole. Like this Murkwater Thrasher.

Each ship in Maelstrom is a character with a colorful history and unique weaponry as well as strengths and weaknesses such as speed, firepower, crew, and toughness. There are many unique ships available for players to unlock and explore.

ASHBORNE, HUMAN FRIGATE

HUMANS

The well designed ships of mankind's Phoenix Empire are the fastest afloat. Each ship is armed with a large number of the most modern cannons available, giving them unmatched range and broadside firepower.

Great speed

Powerful broadsides

Great range

ORCS

The shark-driven ships of the orcs are incredibly maneuverable, and have a large number of forward-facing cannons making them deadly on the pursuit. The orcs themselves are ferocious fighters, unmatched in combat during boarding actions.

Lethal boarding

Great ramming

Formidable agility

DWARVES

Dwarves disdain brittle wood and flimsy sail, instead forging steel armored steamships. Dwarven ships can withstand far more punishment than the ships of other races and are armed with massive giant cannons on all sides. Though not the most nimble, all Dwarf ships can switch gears and sail in reverse.

Tough armor

Omnidirectional cannons

Ships can reverse

No additional purchases are needed to enjoy the game to the fullest extent. In other words there are no loot boxes, microtransactions, or anything of the sort. Future content will be added in optional DLC packs or released to the community free of charge. Our goal is to keep the game healthy and the community satisfied.

We promise to get Maelstrom into your hands in a fully playable and fun state and to keep the game healthy; to provide transparency and insight into decisions made about Maelstrom at all levels both vast and granular. To listen and react to what the players want.. Most importantly, to honor the faith and trust you've placed in us by purchasing the game. Sink ya soon!